Fluid actuated pump



Feb. 4, 1941. SWAIN 2,230,787

FLUID ACTUATED PUMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 4, 1935 GuRuoN 5w NN INVENT ATTORNEYS Feb. 4, 1941. m 2,230,787

FLUID ACTUATED PUMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 4, 1935 ll GURDQN wAm S 2 5 ATTORNEYS Feb. 4, 1941.

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'F w L Filed June 4, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 2.4

GURDON wAm ATTORN EY5 Fig. 2.5.

Feb. 4, 1941. v G, SWAIN 2,230,787

FLUID ACTUATED PUMP Filed June 4, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 'TANK I TANK GuRDoN bwmN INVENTOR ATTORN EYS Patented Feb. 4, 1941 PATENT OFFICE rwm ACTUATED rum Gordon Swain, Houston, Tex" Corporation, Reno, Net, a c

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assignmto note orporaflon or Ne-' Application June 4, 1935, Serial No. 24,792

19 clalml.

The invention relates to pumps adapted to be operated by fluid under pressure, and is particularly directed to pumps for elevating liquids from wells.

The present invention relates to and comprises a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 577,745, filed November 28, 1931.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fluid operated pump for wells which may be installed in and removed from the well through the well tubing.

It is another object of the invention to provide a fluid operated pump of minimum outside dixraised and lowered in the well by a wire line, or by pressure fluid, separately or combined.

It is another object of the invention to provide a. fluid operated pump of minimum outside diameter and having fluid passages therein of maximum size.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pump, actuating cylinder and piston, reverse gear, pilot valve and main valve in an axial alignment so that operating parts of maximum size lnay be employed in a device of minimum' outside diameter.

It is another object of the invention to provide a fluid actuated pump for wells in which the main piston and pilot valve move counter to the main valve, thus tending to offset the inertia forces.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a fluid opera-ted pump adapted to operate over a wide range of speeds, and which may a be operated at relatively high piston speeds without a resultant pounding.

It is another object to provide a lifting sleeve for pumps and the like which is adapted to be moved upwardly by a spear or fishing tool, or by fluid pressure, or the two combined.

It is also an object to provide a mechanism for locking a device in a well tubing, and for releasing the device by fluid pressure or by a grab member, or a combination of the two.

It is a further object to provide a fluid actuated piston type valve, having dash pots to prevent its pounding at the end of its stroke. It is still another object to provide a hollow piston type pilot valve, and to arrange the pilot and main valves so that at the instant the main valve interrupts the flow of pressure fluid, the pilot valve is passing pressure fluid, thus preventing a hammer eifect on the fluid system.

It is also an object to provide a reversing mechanism which will not only shift a valve at 9, point-near the end of the plunger stroke, but will also disconnect the plunger and valve upon shifting of the valve, thus permitting the plunger to continue its movement until arrested by fluid pressure.

It is an object of the invention to provide a reversing mechanism for pumps which is normally locked against accidental displacement, and which is adapted for use in limited space.

It is a further object to provide an actuating 1 cylinder having a piston therein, a hollow piston rod connected to one side of the piston and a sleeve connected to the opposite side of the piston, the sleeve forming a connection to the pump plunger, and-a piston slidable in said sleeve-and fixed to the cylinder so as to form a cylinder head against which the lust piston may operate.

It is also an object to provide a lifting ring for raising a mechanism in a well tubing, the ring having a cup to seal against the tubing wall and a shoulder to engage the device to be lifted so that fluid pressure beneath it will exert an upward force.

I also aim to construct a removable pump for wells and arrange it with a seat and packer to eliminate undesirable sand pockets.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a central pumping plant and a means of connecting it to and controlling each of several different pumps of the type shown.

I further provide a fluid actuated deep well pump in which it is possible to balance the power thrust on an actuating piston against the load thrust on a pump piston or plunger so that the desired ratio between applied operating pressure and discharge pressure may be secured.

These and other objects and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art when the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, taken together and in the order named, show a broken longitudinal sectional view of the assembled pump as it appears in the well. Fig. l beingthe upper and Fi 5 the lower section of the pump and shown enlarged.

Figs. 6 to 17, inclusiv are transverse sectional views taken on correspondingly numbered section lines of Figs. 1 to 5.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of the bar on the reverse rod seen in Figs. 3 and 16, certain parts being cut away to show the details of construction.

Fig. 19 is a cut away view of the double sleeve invention.

Fig. 22 illustrates an alternate form of construction for the lower section of the pump and well mechanism, and may be substituted for that shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 23 is a view partially in section of a well head fitting to engage and support the pump when it is being removed from the well.

Fig. 24 is a longitudinal sectional view of another type of reversing mechanism.

Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic view of the complete fluid system of the pump.

Fig. 26 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing the manner of connecting several pumps for operation from a single pumping plant.

In pumping a well with my invention the usual pump tubing is employed. In Fig. 1 the special coupling 3| is attached to the lower end of the conventional well tubing 32, and at the lower end of the coupling 3| is the enlarged pipe 33 which houses the principal portion of the pumping apparatus.

As seen in Fig. 5 the lower end of the enlarged pipe 33 is threaded into the seat member 34, and beneath this seat member is the pipe 36. The tubing 3| and pipe 33 are located inside a well casing 31, and a suitable packer 38 is adapted to be set to form a fluid tight seal between the tubing and the casing.

A pumping apparatus, indicated generally at 39, is adapted to be lowered into and removed from the well through the well tubing 32, and for purposes of description this pumping apparatus will be considered by its general components, which may be said to include a locking, releasing, and lifting apparatus 4|, main valve 42, pilot valve 43, reversing mechanism 44, power cylinder 46, and the pump 41 in axial alignment and positioned in the order named.

The locking, releasing, and lifting apparatus 4| is adapted to engage within the special coupling 3|, which is formed with a bore 48 of slightly smaller inside diameter than the well tubing 32, the difference in sizes being utilized to provide an upwardly facing shoulder 49. Beneath the shoulder and in the bore 48 are cut the teeth 5| which form a suitable means for engagement and anchoring or locking the pump mechanism in place.

The pump mechanism 39 includes a body 52 to which is attached the top coupling 53 forming a part of the locking apparatus 4|, and the pivot bar 54 is fixed in the walls of the coupling53 and extends diametrically across the interior thereof. Locking dogs 56 are pivotally mounted on the bar 54 and are formed with toothed portions 51 which extend through suitable openings 58 in the wall of the top coupling 53 to engage the teeth 5| in the special coupling 3|. Any upward movement of the pump apparatus is resisted by the interengaging teeth and due to the line of thrust between the teeth and the bar or pivot 54 the teeth tend to wedge tighter and tighter as the upward force increases. Cups 53 disposed around the top coupling serve to seal between the pump and tubing to prevent downward flow of fluid through the annular space therebetween.

A hollow releasing and lifting sleeve BI is slidably fitted within the top coupling 53, and shoulders 62 and 63 on the sleeve engage corresponding shoulders on the top coupling to limit the iongitudinal movement of one with respect to the other. Slots 84 in the sleeve 6| permit passage oi the bar 54 and are or suincient length that the ends of the slot do not limit the relative movement oi the bar and sleeve. Each of the dogs 58 has an inclined slot 68 therein, and a pin 51 passes through both of these slots and is flxed to the sleeve 8|, so that raising and lowering of the sleeve will advance or withdraw the dogs. As in the case of the slots 84, the slots 86 are of such length that the pin 61 does not engage the ends thereof. Additional slots 88 in the walls of the sleeve 8| register with the slots 58 in the top coupling to permit positioning of the dogs. The lower end of the sleeve is provided with a downwardly opening check valve 88, which closes the interior or the pump against an upward movement of fluid so that an upwardly applied pressure 01' fluid in the well tends to force the sleeve 6| upward and retract the dogs 58 from their locking position.

The upper end of the sleeve 8| is formed with a socket 1| adapted to receive a spear or grab lowered thereinto, whereby the sleeve may be raised by means of a tool operated from the surfaceto retract the dogs. It is obvious that these two ways of raising the sleeve may be used jointly or separately as desired.

The top coupling 53 is provided with a downwardly directed cup 12 flxed thereon, and a spring ring 13 inside the free end of the cup tends to expand it into position inside the tubing to seal against upward movement of fluid around the pumps. Thus it will be seen that the interior of 7 moves to a seated position, so that the cup is carried therebelow and allowed to expand as seen in Fig. 1.

Operating fluid pumped down through the tubing to actuate the pump passes through the hol low sleeve 8|, through the check valve 89 and continues through the valvemechanism composed oi the main and pilot valves.

In considering the description of the fluid system frequent reference may be had to the dia grammatic view shown in Fig. 25 in which the various parts and fluid passages are designated by the same numerals. I

It will be noted that Figs. 1 and 2 are common along the line A-A.

The main valve 16 comprises a stem 11 having four pistons 18, 19, 8| and 82, spaced therealong, which pistons may be provided with rings 11 desired. The valve is actuatedby the application of pressure fluid against the end pistons 18 and 82. The valve cylinder 83 is bored to receive the valve 16 and is provided ateach end with main actuating fluid ports 84 and 85 and with auxiliary ports 81 and 88. Check valves 83 in the auxiliary ports 81 and 88 are inwardly opening to admit fluid and prevent escape of fluid. It will be seen that as the valve moves to the end of its stroke, one of the end pistons will cover the main port and the entrapped fluid produces a dash pot efiect to stop the valve. The auxiliary ports admit fluid from the pilot valve to start the main valve and thus uncover the main ports.

All of the power fluid delivered to the pump enters through the check valve 69 and moves down into the mechanism through the passage 9|, which may also be seen in Figs. 6 to 9. An inlet port 92 in the wall of the valve cylinder 83 communicates with the passage 9I at a point substantially midway of the cylinder 83, and conducts the fluid into the space between the two central pistons 19 and 8I of the valve, and from this space the power fluid is directed to the power piston. A port 98 (see Fig. 1) leads from the valve cylinder 83 to a passage 94 which in turn leads to one end of the power cylinder. A second port 96 leads from the valve cylinder 83 to a passage 91 which in turn leads to the other end of the power cylinder. The ports 93 and 96 are so spaced with respect to the main inlet port 92 and the positions of the pistons 19 and 9| that the valve 16 directs the fluid from the port 92 to either one or the other ofthe ports 94 and 96 when the valve is at the end of its travel. Discharge ports 99 are located above the port 93, communicate with the exterior of the pump, and are positioned so that the valve 16 in its lower position, as shown, directs fluid from the passage 94 and port 93 out through the discharge ports 99.

Similarly the port 98 is positioned to be connected to take the discharge from the port 96 and conduct it out of the pump housing.

The operation of the valve 16 insofar as it controls the passage of fluid to and from a power cylinder, is quite similar to the operation of many piston valves now in service. Rings may be used on the piston, and the ports may be slotted axially so that the rings and pistons will ride over them easily.

As previously indicated, the main valve 16 is actuated by pressure fluid, and therefore a pilot valve is provided which was indicated generally at 43. The assembly includes a cylinder IN. A passage I02 which forms a continuation of the supply passage 9|, terminates at a port I03 at a point near the center of the cylinder IOI. Ports I04 and I06 are spaced above and below the port I03, and are connected by passages I01 and I08, respectively, to the ports 84 and 91 at the top of the main valve, and the ports 86 and 88 at the bottom of the main valve.

Within the cylinder IN is the hollow piston valve I09, which is the pilot valve. The valve I09 comprises a hollow body III and pistons H2 and II 3 formed thereon. The valve body is hollow and drilled so that'fluid can pass entirely through it. A connection H4 at one end is attached to a valve stem II6 which reciprocates the pilot valve. Ports II 1 at either end of the cylinder or valve chamber IOI permit movement of fluid in and out of the chamber as the piston is reciprocated, and these are complementary to the passage through the body of the valve which contributes to the same result.

Experience has shown that due to the number of fluid passages around the pilot valve the ports II1 are of limited size and that there remains a drag on the pilot valve due to the restricted movement of fluid through these ports. The fluid passage through the valve itself was introduced to give a free movement of fluid through the valve and consequent free movement of the valve.

The vents II1 further permit the escape of fluid discharged from the main valve actuating chambers.

The pilot valve in the position shown is directing fluid from the port I03 to port I04 and releasing fluid from the port I08. This valve, in one pump constructed, had a longitudinal movement of one and flve-eighths inches, which movement completely reversed the movement of the fluid in the passages I06 and I01.

A suitable stumng box I I9 closes the end the pilot valve chamber IOI around the valve stem and separates the pilot valve mechanism from the reversing gear or mechanism.

Beneath the stufllng box or gland III the body 52 is threaded exteriorly at H9 and interiorly at I2I. A tube I22 is attached to the threads H9 and extends downwardly therefrom, and a special bushing I23 is attached to the threads I2I. The lower end of the passage 94 terminates just below the gland H9 and the opening I24 leads into the axial opening surrounding the valve stem H6 and downwardly through the bushing I23.

The bushing I23 is provided at its lower end with inside and outside threads and to these threads two concentric and interfltting pipes I26 and I21 are screwed. The outer pipe I26 of these two is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the tube I22, thus providing an annular space therebetween, and the lower end'of the passage 91 communicates with this annular space. Thus it will be seen that the two columns of fluid between the main valve and the power cylinder are inside the tube I22 and separated by the walls of the pipe I26. The inner pipe I21 depending from the bushing forms a part of the reversing mechanism, indicated generally at 44 and which is actually enclosed within the pipe I26.

The bottom end of the pipe I26 is closed with a stuiflng box I26 which is threaded to the pipe I26 and adapted to pack about a piston rod I29 passing therethrough. The piston rod is hollow and has a perforated spider I3I at its upper end. A valve rod I32 passes through a hole in the spider I3I and is adapted to cause movement of the pilot valve as the main piston rod I29 nears the end of its stroke.

Spaced stops are provided on the valve rod so that there is lost motion between the stops and the piston rod during the greater part of the piston stroke, and the valve rod is connected to the valve stem through a releasing gear which permits the piston rod and valve or reverse rod to continue moving for a time after the pilot valve has been shifted and before the main valve has reversed the flow of fluid to change the direction of movement of the piston rod.

The reversing mechanism will now be described. A swivel head I33 is formed on the valve stem H6, and a cap I34 rotatably secures the head to the upper end of a threaded plug I36 in a sleeve I31 which fits slidably within the pipe I21. Upwardly opening grooves I38 in the upper walls of the sleeve I31 provide openings through which fluid may pass into the upper end of sleeve I31. The sleeve I31 fits slidably within the pipe I26 and extends substantially the length of the Spiral slots or cam surfaces I39 are formed in the opposite walls of the sleeve I31, and a pin I4I having rollers I42 thereon extends transversely of the sleeve I31 and passes through the spiral slots I39 and is flxed at its ends to the pipe I'21 so that relative longitudinal movement of the two members causes a rotation of the sleeve I31 within the pipe. The slots I39 are long enough to permit at leasta suflicient movement of the sleeve and attached parts to move the pilot valve the required distance.

Below the spiral slots, the pipe I21 is formed with two longitudinal slots I43 in the opposite walls thereof, and the sleeve I31 is provided with corresponding oifset slots I44. The relation 'of these slots is shown in more detail in Fig. 19. The slots themselves are of the same width, and the angular displacement of the offset portions of the slot I44 is equal to the rotation of the sleeve I31 caused by the spiral I39, as the sleeve is moved to shift the valve. When the sleeve is in either extreme position, one portion of the oflset slot is aligned with the straight slots I43. The shoulders I46 and I41 provide thrust surfaces against which to push to move the sleeve, valve stem, etc.

A double cross bar composed of the bars I46 and I49 is formed on the top end of the valve rod I32. The cross bars are fitted within the slots I43 and I44 so that their ends are engaged in the longitudinal slots and held against rotation. This arrangement is better seen in Fig. 16. The valve rod consists of a rod I5I and a tube I52 telescoped thereover. The rod I 5I passes through the perforated spider I3I and has the stop I53 at its lower end. The upper cross bar I48 is formed on the top end of the rod I5I, so that the The tube I52 has a stop I54 formed on its lower end, positioned to be engaged by the spider I3I on the upper end of the stroke of the piston rod The cross bar I49 is formed on the tube I52 so that it is integral therewith. A collar I56 fitted within the recess I51, seen in Fig. 18, limits the relative movement of the rod and tube or bar I48 and bar I49, and the springs I58 disposed between the bars tend to separate them. When the bars are spaced apart by the springs, as seen in Fig. 18, the bars are expanded to a greater height than the distance between the shoulders I46 and I41 in the offset slot, but the bars may be brought together against the force of this spring so that the double bar may pass from one side of the offset slot to the other.

In Fig. 3 it will be seen that, at the present time, the bar I48 is engaged within the top portion of the offset slot I44 and therefore the sleeve I31 cannot rotate within the pipe I21 and consequently the spiral slot and pin I together with the bar lock the sleeve and pipe together.

When the spider I3I moves downwardly and strikes the stop I53, the springs I58 are compressed and the bar I49 presses on the shoulder I'46. Since the bars have been brought together the sleeve I31 may move downwardly and rotate on the pin I4I, so that by the time the pilot valve has been shifted the slot and pin connection will have turned the sleeve so that the bar I49 slides off the shoulder I46 and is free to move downwardly along the portion I 44 of the offset slot. This movement in the slot after the pilot valve has been shifted, provides time for the valve mechanism to reverse the fluid and main piston in order that the piston may be stopped by the fluid itself rather than by the valve mechanism. In one pump constructed a free travel of approximately 6 inches was found sufficient to provide for the reversal of the piston, or in other words, the piston travel did not exceed six inches after the pilot valve was shifted. The main piston is, of course, limited in its travel so that it comes to the end of its maximum stroke before the ends of the offset and longitudinal slots are reached. In this manner the valve mechanism is protected from possible damage due to the force or weight The power cylinder designated generally by numeral 46 employs the large tube I22 as a cylinder, and the hollow main or power piston I63 is fitted slidably therein, and the hollow piston rod I23 is secured thereto. The power fluid passing around the pipe I26 and inside the tube I22 is applied against the upper face of the piston I33 on the annular area around the piston rod I23. This area is the effective area. The piston, on its lower end, is threaded to receive the sleeve I6I which is movable with the piston along the cylinder. This sleeve serves as a mechanical connection between the piston I56 and the actual pump mechanism spaced below.

Slots I62 are formed in the opposite walls of the sleeve I6I so that fins I63 on the plug I34 may extend through the slots and be anchored to the walls of the cylinder or tube I22. This construction is seen in Figs. 4 and 17, and permits reciprocation of the sleeve I6I because it straddles the flns I63.

A stand pipe I66, having a piston I61 fixed thereon is supported on the plug I64 so that the piston I61 is anchored in place. The piston I61 fits within the sleeve I6I and in reality forms 'a' head against which fluid pressure may be applied, at the same time being applied to move the piston I59 and the sleeve I6I. Fluid acting on the lower face of the piston I59 passes through the interior of the reversing mechanism, the perforated spider I3I, the hollow piston rod I29, and the hollow piston I59. The effective area of the lower face of the piston is the annular area between the inside of the sleeve I6I and the outside of the piston rod I29.

The construction employing the sleeve I6I is designed to give a connection between the power piston and pump which has a maximum compressive strength and a minimum cross sectional area.

It will be seen that by a proper proportion of the net cross-sectional area of the sleeve I6I and the area of the working barrel I12 the desired combination of plunger action and piston action may be obtained, and that the applied pressure discharge pressure ratio may be maintained even despite differences in the effective areas of the power piston on its up and down strokes.

The pump tube I22 is provided with a flange I68 toward its lower end, and the reduced portion I10 therebelow is threaded at I69. A bushing or reducer "I is attached to the threaded end of the tube I22 and the bushing is in turn threaded to receive the working barrel I12. This working barrel is the cylinder for the pump which lifts the fluid from the well and is provided with a standing or check valve I13 at its lower end.

The bushing I1I serves also as a nut to secure a set of cups I14 and spacer rings I16 on the reduced portion I10 of the tube I22. Openings I11, directly above the cups permit movement of fluid in or out of the pump body or tube.

A hollow plunger I18 depends from the reciprocating sleeve I6I and an adapter I19 connects the two together. Suitable cups I8I and a travelling valve I82 are positioned on the plunger to effect a seal within the working barrel I12. Slits along a portion of the plunger wall permit the discharge of any liquid pumped up through the standing and travelling valve, and these slits also accommodate the surging of fluid as the adapter I19 moves toward and away from the piston I61.

A seat member 34 in the enlarged pipe 33 is formed with a seat I88 which receives the bushing I'll so that the entire pump assembly is supported on this seat. The socket I88 directly above the seat I88 is formed to receive the cups I18 and they may be moved in and out of the socket with the pump, but form a reliable seal whenever the pump is in operating position.

Openings I81 in the enlarged pipe 33 are on substantially the same level as the opening I11, and the upper faces of the seat member 38 and packer 38 are placed immediately below these openings, thus eliminating sand pockets in which quantities of sand might accumulate to give trouble. The circulation of fluid out the ports and up between the pipe 33 and the casing 31 effectively flushes away any sand that might settle on either the seat member or packer.

Details of internal construction, etc. of the packer 38 are not shown, since this particular invention is not directed to packers.

A special ring I88 is formed to flt on the pump tube I22 immediately below the flange I88. The inside diameter of the ring is of such size as to pass easily over the cups I18, etc., which are on the reduced portion I18. Also the ring is outwardly flared at I83 to guide the cups through the ring.

An annular groove I9I is formed on the lower side of the ring and bleed holes I82 allow a limited amount of fluid to pass through the ring. Downwardly opening check valves I83 are also located in the groove I9I. The periphery of the ring is provided with a 'cup I98 which seals against the wall of the pipe 33.

A shoulder I98 in the pipe 33 and just above the openings I81 limits the downward movement of the ring I88 to keep it from covering the openings I81.

Figs. 20 and 21 show a power piston constructed with a more conventional piston rod arrangement.

In these figures the pump tube I91 has a piston- I98 therein, and a hollow piston rod I99 extending upwardly from the piston. The rod I99 passes through the piston and has holes 28I to pass fluid in and. out of the cavity below the piston. A solid piston rod 282 connects the piston to the pump plunger 283 which is of usual construction. A stufl'ing box bushing 288 closes the lower end of the tube I 91 and seals about the rod 282, and the extension 288 connects the tube I91 to the nipple 281, which is joined by a collar 288 to the working barrel 289. Sealing cups 2 are placed on the nipple 281.

In one pump constructed employing this piston arrangement a working barrel of one and three quarters inches diameter and a piston rod of one and one quarter inches diameter were used. The respective areas were 2.405 square inches and 1.22! square inches, which produced a well balanced pump set up, so that there was. a discharge from the pumps on both up and down strokes. Other relation between the areas may of course be varied if desired.

Fig. 22Qshows another manner in which the pump and tubing can be arranged to fit together. The packer .38 seals between the enlarged pipe 33 and the casing 31 as. before, but in this case there is no seat at this point for the pump. Instead the sub 2 I2 is bored to receive the cups 211. The pipe" below this sub or packer assembly, has a socket member 2I3 at its bottom end, and a socket 2I8 therein is adapted to receive a foot valve 2 I 8. This valve 2 I8 seats in the socket and is sealed therein by the packing cup 2 I1 A stud 2l8 on the valve may be engaged by a fishing tool when it is desired to remove the valve to of the well tubing 32 when the pump apparatus,

is to be withdrawn from the well. The body 223 is attached to the tubing by means of a union 228 and the interior of the body 228 is formed to receive the top end of the pump assembly. Slip segments 221 on inclined ways 228 and urged downwardly by springs 229 are adapted to engage the pump when it is inserted into the opening 228. Then the union 228 is loosened and the body and pump are removed from the well head.

The upper ei'id of the body 223 is providedwith suitable threads 238, and when the pump mechanism is pumped up through the tubing any desired connection is screwed on these threads, and when the pump is retrieved by means of a wire line an oil saver is attached to the threaded end 238.

Fig. 24 shows a fluid type releasing mechanism for a-reverse gear. The pipe 221 corresponds to the pipe I28 of Figs. 3 and 4, and a special pipe 228 is fixed therein at points 228. Grooves23I permit passage of fluid. Within the pipe'228 is the sleeve 232 to which is attached the pilot valve stem I I 8. A reverse rod 233 penetrates the sleeve 232 and has a piston-238 thereon. This reverse rod has the usual stops on its end opposite the piston to be contacted by the reciprocating piston rod inthe usual manner. Blocks-238 and 231 limit the movement of the sleeve within the pipe. The entire apparatus is filled with fluid, and therefore vents 238 at either end are provided. It will be appreciated that if there is a column of fluid in the sleeve 232 and on both sides of the piston 238 that the piston and sleeve are locked together. Also that if openings are provided at both ends of the sleeve 232 the piston may move freely therealong.

In the drawings the sleeve and pilot valve stem are seen in their uppermost position and the valve rod 233 and piston 238 are waiting to be moved downward by the main piston as it nears the end of its downstroke. It will be noted that the ports 239 and 2 register to vent the upper port of the sleeve and that the ports 282 and 283 register to vent the lower end of the sleeve, and therefore that the piston may move alone. Ports 288 and 288 are closedand the ports 281 do not function. The piston 238 may move down until it covers the port 282 at which time the column of fluid ahead oi'it forces the sleeve down with the piston .until the port 288freg'isters with the port 281 vents the sleeve. At'the'same time ports 288 and 283 register behind the piston. The pilot valve has now been shifted andthe piston is free to move within the lower portion of the sleeve.- 0nthe up stroke of the valve rod and piston, the piston moves freely until it covers the registering ports 283 and 288, at which time the piston and sleeve are locked together for movement until the positionshown is reached. The travel of thesleeve and the amount of lost motion is determined by the length of the sleeve and the spacing of the holes.

5 Due to the fact that fluid moving inside the pipe 221 acts on the lower face of the main piston it will be seen that the fluid moves counter to the main piston and reverse mechanism and therefore this fluid movement acting on the outer l ends of the sleeve 232 locks it in each position.

' Fig. 26 is a diagrammatic view of an installation showing the surface equipment and connections to three separate wells.

The surface equipment includes a receiving 15 .tank 248 into which all of the fluid from the wells is discharged, a second storage tank 249 which is filled from the receiving tank and which serves as a settlin tank for the actuating fluid is in turn connected to the surface pressure 0 pump 25I. This pump 25I may be of any desired type of construction and of suflicient capacity to operate the desired number of well pumps.

Wells 252, 253 and 254 are shown, and they 25 can be of different depths, productive capacities, etc. Similar casing heads 258 are fitted to the top of each of the wells and have valve fluid discharge lines 251 leading therefrom and to the tank 248. A power fluid line 258 from the pump 30 conducts fluid to each of the wells, and may be a single line as shown, or can be a separate line to each well.

The well tubing 32 extends upwardly through the casing head and the flow of fluid into the 35 tubing and to the pumping mechanism therein is controlled by the yalve 259 and the orifice plates 26I which regulate the quantity of actuating fluid admitted to pump each well.

I Bypass lines 282 having valves 283, connect the fluid lines 258 into the casing heads 258 so that the circulation of fluid may be reversed when desired.

The net production from the well is discharged 45 through the pipe 284.

With this arrangement a central pumping plant is contemplated and each well is pumped at the desired rate, adjustments being made by suitable fluid valves.

50 In preparation for pumping operations the well tubing 32 including the special coupling 3|, enlarged pipe 33, rin I88, seat member 34, packer 38, and lower extension 38, is lowered into the well and the packer set within the casing. The

58 surface equipment is of course set up and available. The entire pump assembly is inserted into the upper end of the tubing, the fluid connections are made and the pump assembly is pumped to the bottom of the well, the lower end passing 60 through the ring I88 and seating in the member 34. The locking and releasing mechanism at the upper end engages within the coupling 3| so that the dogs 58 are engaged and the cup I2 is moved below the protector sleeve I4 and allowed to expand.

The operation of the pump may be explained in connection with Fig. 25, in which the fluid enters the valve elements through the passage 9I.

70 The fluid is directed by the main valve I8 through the ports 92 and 98 into the passage 91 which conducts it to the upper end of the power cylinder. During this time fluid is acting through the passage I02, port I08, pilot valve I09, port I04,

(I passage I0! and port 84 into the main valve chamber and against the upper piston 01' the main valve to hold it in its present position.

Fluid moving from beneath the main piston I98 passes through the holes 20I, the hollow piston rod, the passage 94, port 93, main valve 18, 5 port 99, and out of the pump into the upward moving column of pumped fluid. Fluid from beneath the main valve I8 moves through the port 88, passage I08, port I08 and out the ports H1. 10

When the piston I98 approaches the end of its down stroke the pilot valve I09 is pulled down to reverse the pump. With the valve in its new position the ports I03 and I08 are connected so that fluid is taken from the main supply line 9| l5 and admitted through the port 88 beneath the main valve I8 moving it upward. Since this fluid is taken from the main supply line, the force on the main piston I98 is reduced and its speed decreases. As the time that this main valve I8 covers ports 93 and 98, thus interrupting an inflow of fluid from port 92, the passage through the pilot valve provides a relief to prevent a fluid hammer or pressure surge. The result is a substantially uniform pressure on the supply line. The pilot valve therefor acts in two ways; it provides for a reduction in the piston speed as it approaches the end of its stroke, and it gives a bypass or relief opening to guard against fluid pounding.

The power piston of this pump will operate in exactly the same manner if the circulation of actuating fluid through it were reversed. This fact may be observed by an inspection of Fig. 25. However, the reversal of circulation is prevented by the check valve 89 seen in Fig. 1.

As previously explained in connection with the locking, releasing and lifting apparatus H of Fig.

1, the sleeve 8I may be lifted and the pump released either by means of a grab operated from above, or by an upward movement of fluid through the pump, which fluid is of course obtainable by a reversal of the circulation of the actuating fluid so that its movement through the power mechanism is reversed. This counter flow of fluid forces the sleeve 8I upward and disengages the dogs 58. A small amount of fluid passes upward through the bleed holes I92, seen in Fig. 5, and this fluid moves within the pipe 33 and around the pump body 52 to act on the cup I2 to assist in lifting the entire pump assembly.

The ring I88 of Fig. 5 acts as a piston on which the fluid pressure may act. the ring being limited in its travel to the space provided within the pipe 33. This ring is of particular benefit in 55 lifting the pump off its seat and moving it up into the tubing 32 where it forms a plug substantially closing the tubing.

For the sake of clearness I have shown the pump mechanism as seen in the sectional views no of Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive. as being a solid piece of metal, and these views are correct when the completed pump is seen. However, in the manufacture I employ a solid bar of the outside diameter of the finished pump body, and in this bar all of the cylinders chambers, passages, etc., are bored, milled or drilled. The fluid passages such as 94, 81, I02, I0! and I08 are formed as slots milled from the outside, and these slots are.covered by strips taken from tubing which are welded in place to form the closed passages. This construction enables me to provide larger fluid pass-ages than would be possible if they were drilled in a single solid bar.

It will be seen that there is here provided a pump for use in wells which is adapted to be actuated by pressure fluid pumped into the well at the surface, and that the pump is adapted to be lowered into and'lifted from its operating position in the well through the well tubing. Ihis feature is of extreme value since it eliminates the necessity of removing the well tubing whenever inspection of the pump is required. Sucker rods are, of course, dispensed with and therefore the hoisting equipment now required at each well and the corresponding investment is saved.

It will only be required to pull the tubing at relatively long intervals, and to do this, simple portable equipment will be sumcient, since these Jobs will be so infrequent that the difference in shut down time is immaterial.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a fluid operated well pump, a tubing, a pump body therein, cups on said body adapted to seat against the tubing wall to prevent longitudinal movement of fluid around said body, dogs mounted on said body and formed to engage the interior of said tubing, a hollow sleeve sliding-1y fitting within the upper end of said body and providing a passage for downward flow of pump actuating fluid, a downwardly opening check valve in said sleeve, means for delivering a pressure fluid upwardly against said valve, whereby said sleeve is moved upwardly in response to an upward flow of fluid against the valve, and interengaging means between said sleeve and said dogs operable by the upward movement of 'said sleeve to retract said dogs and release said pump for upward movement.

2. In a well the combination of a casing, a well tubing therein, a fluid connection to the upper end of said tubing, means to pump fluid into said well through said connections, an outlet connection and tubing on said casing, a packer spaced 40 below the well head and adapted to seal between said tubing and said casing, a seat within said tubing, a fluid actuated pump adapted to engage said seat and be inserted and removed through said tubing, said tubing having fluid openings ad- 45 jacent said seat of said pump, and means to seal between said pump and tubing above and below the fluid openings, said pump being actuated by fluid pumped into said well by said pumping means.

3. In a fluid operated well pump, a pump body, cups on said body, a tubing to receive said body in sealing position therein to prevent the passage of fluid around said body, dogs carried by said body and-serrations within said tubing to receive said dogs, a lifting sleeve at the upper end of said body, a connection on said sleeve adapted to be engaged from above to raise said sleeve, interengaging means between said sleeve and said dogs whereby an upward movement of said sleeve with respect to said pump body retracts said dogs and releases said pump for removal.

4. In a fluid operated pump for wells adapted to be inserted and removed through the well tubing, a pump body, a cup thereon adapted to seal against the tubing wall to prevent upward movement of fluid around said pump body, a protector sleeve carried by said body adapted to surround said cup to hold same in a collapsed position during the lowering of the pump through the tubing, said protector sleeve having longitudinal movement along said cup, stops on said body to limit the movement of said sleeve, and projections on,

said sleeve to engage an abutment in the well {5 tubing so that the protector sleeve will be raised and the cup released as the pump moves to its seated position in the well tubing.

5. In a fluid operated pumping mechanism for wells, a pump body, a cylinder therein, a piston in said cylinder responsive to pressure fluid, a pump plunger to be operated by said piston, a main valve associated with said cylinder, said main valve being fluid actuated, a pilot valve controlling the flow of fluid actuating said main valve, and a reversing mechanism connecting said pilot valve and said piston whereby said pilot valve is moved by said piston to reverse the movement of said piston, said reversing mechanism including means to allow additional relative movement of the piston and pilot valve after said pilot valve has been shifted whereby the piston is stopped by fluid pressure alone.

6. In a fluid operated pumping mechanism for wells including a piston, a reciprocating pump plunger connected to said piston, a pilot valve actuated by said pisto a main valve responsive to said pilot valve to control the fluid actuating said piston, and a reversing mechanism connecting said pilot valve to said piston, said reversing mechanism comprising a sleeve rotatably connected to said pilot valve, spiral slots in said sleeve, a fixed pin passing through said slots whereby axial movement of said sleeve causes rotation thereof, oflset slots in said sleeve, 8. bar extending transversely of said oilfset slots and fixed against rotation, a rod attached to said bar, said rod having sliding engagement with said piston, stops on said rod spaced to give lost motion in the engagement whereby said stops engage the piston for identical movement at points adjacent the ends of its stroke, said bar upon movement engaging a shoulder in said offset slots to move the sleeve axially to move said pilot valve, said spiral slot and pin causing simultaneous rotation of said sleeve about said bar whereby said offset slot is moved to permit continued movement of said piston rod and bar after the moving of said valve and until stopped by fluid pressure.

7. In a reversing mechanism for the motor valves of a fluid operated pumping mechanism, a valve, a member rotatably connected to said valve, a spiral cam slot on said member, an offset slot disposed longitudinally of said member, a pin engaging in said spiral slot, a bar adapted to slide in said oifset slot, means to hold said bar and said pin against relative rotation, said bar comprising a plurality of segments, means to ex-' tend said segments along said slot in excess of the opening between said offset slots, a rod connected to said bar, stops on said bar, and said stops being adapted to intercept a head moving with the piston whereby said segments may be contracted and said sleeve moved to shift the valve and be rotated by said cam surface, said segments being contracted to pass from one slot into the offset slot as said sleeve is rotated, thus allowing continued movement of said rod and bar after the shifting of the valve.

8. In a fluid operated pumping mechanism, a cylinder, a piston therein having a fluid passage therethrough, a hollow piston rod attached to one side of said piston, means to apply fluid pressure to the annular area of said piston around said piston rod, a second piston secured in said cylinder, a sleeve attached to the other side of said flrst piston and adapted to slide within said cylinder and over said second piston, and means to introduce pressure fluid into the space within said sleeve and between said first and second pistons to move said first piston and sleeve.

9. In a well, a pipe, a'seat in said pipe, a shoulder above said seat, a ring in said pipe formed to be supported on said shoulder and providing a passage for downward flow of fluid, a device lowerable through said pipe and insertable through said ring to engage said seat, a flange on said device to bear on said ring, said ring comprising a body, a cup'therein to seal against the wall of said pipe, .and a downwardly opening check valve in said ring to prevent an upward flow of fluid through said ring, and means for delivering a pressure fluid upwardly beneath said ring to lift said device within 'the pipe.

10. In a well, a casing, tubing in said casing, a pump in said tubing, 9. packer between said tubing and said casing, and sealing means be-' tween said pump and said tubing whose upper face is substantially level with the upper face of said packer, said pump having outlets adjacent the top of said sealing means, said tubing having outlets communicating with said casing adjacent the top of said packer whereby fluid pumped may pass through the outlets and openings and flush sand from said sealing means and packer.

11. In a fluid operated motor for wells, a vertical cylinder, 9. piston rod extending longitudinally thereof, and a piston for said cylinder mounted on said rod, said cylinder having a fluid passage to the top of said piston, said piston rod having a passage through a portion of its length to just below said piston, a sleeve attached to said piston and extending downwardly therefrom, a piston in said sleeve and anchored to said cylinder whereby fluid is passed'downwardly through said piston rod to move the first mentioned piston upwardly.

12. In the. reversing mechanism for the motor valves of a fluid operated pumping mechanism,

a pipe having a plurality of fluid ports spaced therealong, a sleeve slidable within said pipe, means to limit the movement of said sleeve within said pipe, a valve stem connected to said sleeve, a piston within said sleeve, a reverse rod attached thereto and extending outwardly from said sleeve, said sleeve having a plurality of fluid ports spaced therealong, the ports in said sleeve and pipe being positioned whereby one pair of ports spaced from the end of said sleeve and pipe, and one pair of ports near the end of said sleeve and pipe will register when the sleeve is in one extreme position, thus allowing free movement of said piston between the registering ports, said piston being adapted to cover the ports spaced from the end of said sleeve whereby the piston and sleeve may be locked together for movement to the other end of the movement 01' said sleeve whereupon registering ports release said piston for movement in said sleeve.

13. In an oil well, a. casing, a tubing within said casing, means to seal between said casing and tubing, a pump seat in said tubing, a fluid actuated pump lowerable through said tubing and adapted to engage said seat, and means to seal between said pump and said tubing, said tubing having ports above the sealing means to form with the casing an annular reservoir for the flow of pumped fluid.

14. In an oil well, a casing, a tubing within saidcasing, means to seal between said casing and tubing, a pump seat in said tubing, a fluid actuated pump lowerable through said tubing and adapted to engage said seat, means to seal between said pump and tubing, said tubing having ports above said sealing means to form with the casing an annular reservoir for the flow oi pumped fluid,and means on said pump whereby said pump may be raised from its seated position in said tubing and withdrawn therethrough.

15. In a reversing mechanism for the motor .valves of a fluid operated pumping mechanism,

a valve stem, a valve to be operated by said stem, a rod, stops on said rod, a piston, a head adapted to move with said piston, means connecting said rod and valve stem to shift the valve when the head moves one 01' said stops, and additional means disposed between said rod and valve stem to release said rod for continued movement after the valve is shifted.

18. In a well the combination of a casing, a well tubing therein, a fluid connection to the upper end of said tubing. means to pump fluid into said well through said connection and tubing, an outlet connection on said casing, a packer spaced below the well head and adapted to seal between said tubing and'said casing, a seat within said tubing, a fluid actuated pump adapted to engage said seat and be inserted and removed through said tubing, said tubing having fluid openings adjacent the seated position of said pump, means to seal between said pump and tubing below the fluid openings, and means municating between the interior and the exterior of said tubing; a pump adapted to be lowered through said tubing to an operating position, said pump when in said operating position having a discharge port communicating through the lower end of said tubing and said opening with said casing; means forming a seal between said pump and said tubing above said opening; and means for producing a flow of fluid downwardly through said casing, through said opening, and upwardly through said tubing to raise said pump upwardly through said tubing.

18. Pumping equipment of the character described, including: a casing; a tubing set within said casing; a packer means iorming a seal between said casing and said tubing, said tubing having an opening above said packer means communicating between the interior and the exterior of said tubing; a fluid operated pump adapted to be lowered through said tubing to an operating position, said pump when in said operating position having a discharge port communicating through the lower end of said tubing and said opening with said casing; means forming a seal between said pump and said tubing above said opening; means fordorcing fluid down through said tubing to operate said pump to discharge well fluid from said discharge port. the lower portion 01' said tubing, and through said opening into said casing and upwardly therethrough; and means for producing a flow of fluid downwardly through said casing, through said opening. and upwardly through said tubing to raise said pump upwardly through said tubing.

19. Pumping equipment of the character described, including: a casing; a tubing set within said casing; a packer means forming a seal between said casing and said tubing, said tubing having an opening above said packer means communicating between the interior and the exterior of said tubing; a pump adapted to be lowered through said tubing to an operating position, said discharge port, the lower portion of said said pump when in said'operatingposition having tubing, into said casing and upwardly therea discharge port communicating through the through; and means for reversing the flow of lower end of said tubing and said opening with fluid so that it wiliflow downwardly through said said casing; means forming a seal between said casing, through said opening, and up through 5 pump and said tubing above said opening; means said tubing to carry said pump to the upper end for forcing fluid down through said tubing to of said tubing.

operate said pump to discharge well fluid from GURDON SWAIN.

. CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No.- 2,20,787- February 11., 1914.1.

GURDON SWAIN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification ,of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column. line 111., strike out "of minimum outside diand insert instead for wells .which may be--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform .to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of March, A. D. 1911.1.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

